Vicente del Bosque, the quiet one, slinks away with a whimper

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has never been one to shout and scream despite his sterling career, but he won't be able to avoid the clamour his team's stunning World Cup exit will produce.

Imperious at their last three major tournaments where they won two European Championships either side of the World Cup in South Africa, Wednesday's 2-0 defeat to Chile earned Spain the unwanted shame of surrendering their crown at the group stages.

And for Del Bosque, who has always shunned the limelight in victory, he surely will not be able to avoid the din this calamity will make.

Defeats to the Netherlands and Chile ensured Spain have already been eliminated even before their final Group B match.